Monday, December 25, 2017

Holiday Stitching

Long time, no post. So here's a wrap-up of the as yet un-documented stitching, more or less in order of completion.

The first is "Kitten Mitten", a Cricket Collection freebie you can get here. That kitten actually looked like a bear to me. I just did a quick finish by sewing on a backing and blanket stitching around the edge. Not a favorite of mine now, but it got the urge to stitch it out of me.

Next we have "Happy Snowman", a freebie from Shepherd's Bush that you can get here. It's done on Cornflower Blue 28 count Jobelan over-2. I expected this to be made into a card, but when I completed the stitching, I realized it was a perfect size for an Altoid tin top. So another one of those under my belt and it does make a cute gift for this time of year.

For whatever reason, I really wanted to stitch Blackbird Designs "Be Mine". I suppose it had been on my list for years, but I don't know why it suddenly rose to the top. Anyway it's done on 36 count over-2 Vikki Linen. I used all DMC and adjusted the colors a little bit. Then I added the little crocheted flower for a bit of interest. I sort of followed an old tutorial of Vonna's on the wayback machine to construct it. Her tute showed sewing the lining on by hand, but I did it by machine. We both left the top open and just folded the top edge down inside the stocking. So a very rough finish and not meant to hold any treats. Just a decorative ornament. I'm quite taken with this finish.

I had always planned to stitch a few of the Brookes Books Advent Calendar Animals. This Polar Bear was a clear favorite. I was planning to make this into an ornament for a friend, but that never happened. I did need a card at the last minute though and this little guy filled the bill. This is done on a pre-cut tri-fold window card. Carol was kind enough to send me some cardmaking supplies a while back and this one really came in handy to do a quick finish.

Finally, I was going through some old magazines and discovered "Winter Walk" by The Little Stitcher from the Feb, 2014 issue of JCS. I took out the bottom border and omitted one tree to make this card-sized. Finished it up this morning to replenish the stock pile!

Just want you to know I still pop in to see what you have been up to! Like you said a few posts ago, I also use my blog as a way of keeping a record of my work,but I haven't been as productive this year due to a shock diagnosis of bladder cancer. It has all been sorted out now, but I'm finding it hard to keep my mojo energised :-(

Everything you show here is so beautifully stitched, Annie. And I have always loved your finishing ideas. Particularly the cards you make, they are all very special.I hope you were having a great Christmas Day.

Finally catching up on blogs (and life), Annie! I'm so pleased to see what you've been up to, and I love that you are stitching whatever strikes your fancy! You are so brave to do a stocking finish--it is very cute and I like the little crocheted flower you've attached, too.

And you know how I feel about your Altoid tin finishes--this little snowman is the perfect size for one.

Glad the cards have come in handy--the I♥Cocoa guy is darling :)

Hope you are staying warm down there--this is not the mild winter they were predicting, is it?